An Improviser’s Platitude for a Friday

These days most people think of improv, they probably think of television shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” where actors, working without a script, take suggestions from the audience and make up short scenes in an attempt to make the audience laugh. Whether or not they are successful in their efforts is probably subject to personal taste, but the majority of people are nevertheless impressed with the performers’ bravery in the effort. “I could never do that,” they think to themselves.

But they are wrong. We are all improvisers every day of our lives. Unless you woke up this morning and there was a script waiting at the foot of your bed telling you what to say and do for the next 24 hours, then you’re just like the rest of the world. We are constantly changing our assumptions and interactions based on what we observe. We are constantly presented with unexpected obstacles or unintended reactions to our words that force us to think before we make our next response.

Recognizing that each and every one of us has the ability to improvise and change plans on-the-spot will go a long way towards allowing us to feel comfortable in veering off course for a time, and equally confident that we will be able to get back on track when the time is right as well.

A happy weekend full of mystery and unexpected twists and turns to all my readers...